I had a CT scan yesterday which was the result of a suspicious X-Ray last week. I received a call today from the radiology center recommending I see my Pulmonologist.
Highlights of the report read as follows:
Small spiculated nodule present in the right upper lobe adjacent to the minor fissure. It measures approx. 11 mm in dia. Another small 5 mm nodule also seen peripherally in the right middle lobe. A nodule is also seen laterally in the left lower lobe, measuring approx. 15 mm in dia. All of the nodules have spiculated irregular margins. There is mild scarring present at the lung apices. No areas of consolidation are otherwise seen in lungs. No pleural abnormalities are demonstrated.
No enlarged lymph nodes or masses are seen in the mediastinum or pulmonary hila. No adrenal masses are identified.
FYI: Approx. 2 1/2 years ago, a nodular density was seen in the upper right apex which measured approx. 6 X 9 mm. I assume this is the same nodule as indicated above which now measures 11 mm.
I do have an appointment with my Pulmonologist on 4/12, but I was just wondering if anyone might have an input on any of this. Obviously I'm nervous. Particularly since I'm a former smoker who quit 5 years ago, but smoked for 25 years. Any feedback would be appreciated..

I had the same thing done. An x-ray my doctor didn't like. I too had a CT scan of the chest the next day, Jan. 24 of this year. However, the report explained what my nodules were. It turned out to be calcified granuloma. Which is scar tissue from an old illness, maybe pneumonia, pleurisy, severe lung infection, etc. I, too, was a 25+ year smoker. I guess your pulmonologist will have to explain your results with you. Too bad the radiologist didn't explain further. If you don't mind me asking, why did you get a chest x-ray to begin with? Ray

I had the same thing done. An x-ray my doctor didn't like. I too had a CT scan of the chest the next day, Jan. 24 of this year. However, the report explained what my nodules were. It turned out to be calcified granuloma. Which is scar tissue from an old illness, maybe pneumonia, pleurisy, severe lung infection, etc. I, too, was a 25+ year smoker. I guess your pulmonologist will have to explain your results with you. Too bad the radiologist didn't explain further. If you don't mind me asking, why did you get a chest x-ray to begin with? Ray

My regular physician ordered it due to my prior smoking history & also a recent case of pneumonia (around Christmas time).
I did see my Pulmonologist today, but didn't get much satisfaction. He indicated that all I can do at this time is to repeat the CT scan in 2 months & he'll see if there are any changes (good or bad). He said that I had 4-5 nodules in different parts of the chest & indicated that because of the number, it was unlikely that they all were cancerous. But he did say that didn't mean that at least (1) could be; but we would have to wait for the next CT scan. I'm not good at waiting..

Have either one of you guys had any blood tests related to the lung nodules you have? Lung nodules are NOT normal. I have one nodule in my left upper lobe which was noted on chest xray when I was diagnosed with "bacterial pneumonia". After 3 months of taking 4 different antibiotics and no improvement I requested a test for valley fever which turned out positive with a value of 1:16 which means it took the lab 16 tries to get my blood sample clear of cocci spores. To be negative your value would be < 1:2 If it is 1:2 without the < sign, it is still active.

Valley fever is mainly seen in the sw states of Calif, Arizona, New Mexico and TEXAS. I am a valley fever survivor.

In many cases, I would GUESS 80%, of valley fever cases are misdiagnosed as lung cancer, bacterial pneumonia and/or tuberculosis. Even if you don't live in these states you can still contract VF by having visited there or passing through those states. I live in the phoenix area which is the highest affected area...so I know alot about it. WE have a huge and growing epidemic here of valley fever.

I would suggest talking to your docs about testing you for valley fever. There are two types of tests, one more reliable than the other. One is called a "cocci serology or cocci titer" and the more reliable one is called "cocci complimentary fixation titer". The cocci serology just shows IGG and IGM results. Showing yes you have had VF and yes/no it is active. But this is not the best one to have. Mine always came back negative. The cocci complimentary fixation titer is the best. It gives the level like the 1:16 value and that means YES period. It will also automatically do the IGG and IGM with it. The comp fixation test is a send out and goes to a state lab. It cannot be done at a hosp or clinic. If your state does not do it it can always be send to california or even arizona. It takes about 6 days to get results back or maybe longer if sent out of state but shouldn't be because they can fax the results.

Many doctors outside of calif, arizona, nevada (another state) don't know about valley fever. Some ppl can get VF and not even know it and do fine. Once you contract VF it NEVER goes away. It becomes dorimant and can return 20 years later and be fatal.

So, please talk to your doctors about a cocci complimentary fixation titer. It must be ordered as that to get the best test done. It has to be the send out one. Your primary care doc can order it so you don't have to see a specialist. I would do this before you have any invasive treatments because if you do have VF...your treatments would be different.

Let me know what you guys fine out I'm intersted in seeing what they say it is. Good luck!

Opps....btw, VF is a fungal infection of the lung that can desseminate (spread) to other parts of the body. Its medical name is coccidioidomycosis and it is an airborne disease.

Warmest regards,
Linda
Valley Fever survivor

Last edited by Linda49er; 04-15-2007 at 01:22 PM.
Reason: spelling and grammar

Linda 49, do you happen to know a good VF specialist in the Phoenix area? My husband has cocci meningitis. He's currently seeing a great doc in Bakersfield, but I was hoping to find one in Phoenix. The CA doc does cisternal taps and actually checks his spinal fluid each time. Anyone in Ph who does that?

Five years ago it was noted on CatScan that I had a couple of small nodules in my upper left, followed by repeat scans every 6 months for two years with no change. Three years ago I moved to south Jersey and seeked a new Pulmonologist in my new area as I have severe COPD. Could not find one I was confident in and turned to Philadelphia where I found a great one. Being a new patient he did a complete work-up on me, CatScan revealed the original nodules, so he followed up again with another Cat within 4 mos. The new Cat revealed newer spiculated nodules in the upper left, could have been cancer or good chance of infection also. Then the PetScan Identified some activity, it took longer than normal to diagnose as they considered my COPD and the danger of the Broncopsy. They did the Bronc and confirmed NSCLC Squeamous cell. Surgery was ruled out because of the risks due to the COPD. 6 months went by before I had 34 Targeted Radiation Treatments, and four chemo treatments. The tumor had hardly grown prior to treatment, halfway through radiation CAT revealed 50% shrink. CAT Scan this past Jan and PetScan this past March shows no evidence of disease. They call it cure and a miracle. I do have more SOB now due to the radiation damage, but I'm still here and enjoying what I can. I say get a PETScan now or second opinion, I smoked over 40 years, I just turned 60. I was fortunate that it was caught early and small, Stage 1A.

Sorry about the long story but I'm a firm believer in early detection. Let us know how it goes, praying for you in South Jersey. Bill

A year and a half ago I was having irregular heartbeats and pain in the chest. My GP immediately did a EKG and sent me to the emergency room. While I was in there they did a CT scan and heart echo. They said everything was alright and sent me home. I kept having the pain in my chest that was under my ribs and would come and go but could be very painful at times. My heart specialist did another ct scan of my lungs and there were irregular lung nodules on one side of my lungs (more than one). She sent me to my pulmonologist who repeated the ct scan a couple months later and keeps sending me every few months. It has been almost six months and I just got a call from my pulmonologist saying I had to have another one before my appointment. After all this time I figured I probably didn't have much to worry about but after his call now I am. He explained to me he wasn't going to do a biopsy at this time (after my last appt.) because it was a very invasive procedure and I had very small lungs. (whatever that means) I was never told by my GP that there was lung nodules there. I feel that every patient should be told what is wrong with them and not make them feel they are making something over nothing. They say they aren't growing but am getting more. Sorry for the long reply but just wanted you to know my story is similar and you have helped me arm myself with questions to ask my pulm. doctor. thank you very much

I am sorry to hear about your husband. How is he doing? What is his titer? Why does he do the cisternal tap every visit? Is that every six months?? Is he receiving Amphoterican B?

It says you are in Peoria, Ill. I have a friend who lives there. Are you moving to the Phx area or have you already? Where did your husband contract the VF? How long has he been dealing with it? Sorry for all the questions.

Let me look a few things up and get back with you about doctors available here.